Tags : food | wine | restaurant

Travel & Dining - International Herald Tribune
Wed Dec 17 16:43:45 EST 2008
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Utopia by the sea - A cluster of homes on the California coast called Sea Ranch lifts the souls of design aficionados with its style forged by A-list architects and its deference to nature.

Bargains pop up in the luxury suite - As business travel continues to decline and even the wealthy begin to cut back on spending, the luxury travel segment is being hit hard, resulting in a bevy of bargains for those with cash to burn.

Le tour du chocolat - Take a decadent, two-wheeled tour of the best chocolate boutiques in Paris. Find a molten chocolate fountain, cocoa-dusted ganache and more.

World's friendliest countries for expats - Expats say Canada, Germany and Australia are the best countries to live in, while the United Arab Emirates is the most difficult.

The bars of central Cairo: Echoes of a bygone era - The bars that once flourished amid the sweeping boulevards of the Egyptian capital are in danger of dying because of growing Islamic piety, particularly the Muslim prohibition of alcohol.

In Lille, urban renewal with a boho-chic twist - Under a creative public initiative, the French city of Lille has been recruiting young fashion designers to set up shop in downbeat neighborhoods. For Lille, the benefit is an injection of cool and cachet, to say nothing of chic prêt-à-porter.

Designer 'Christmas trees' sold at Paris auction - At the "Les Sapins de Noël des Créateurs" charity auction in Paris, 44 designer Christmas trees in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles were sold.

Bucking the stereotypes of Finnish cuisine - Finns have not forgotten the slights about their food. But surprise, the restaurant culture of Helsinki is a proud paradise of local produce, fish and meat.

The simple life: Finding peace in upstate New York - In upstate New York, ashrams and Buddhist monasteries offer low-cost peace, quiet and order to the stressed, harried and not necessarily religious.

In hard times, going bottom up on the wine menu - A wine list requires a reverse-angle analysis. It should be judged not from the top down but from the bottom up. It should offer thoughtful and possibly even exciting choices at every level.

Reaching new heights in British Columbia - With 3,000 skiable acres, and a vertical drop of 5,620 feet, Revelstoke is the biggest news to hit the North American slopes in years.

Greece defends its stance as clashes resume - A general strike in Greece is disrupting services after four days of violent protests over a police killing.

Tempting the thieves with the pocketables - Thw Transportation Security Administration has fired 465 officers for theft since the spring of 2003.

Skiing in the land of the midnight sun - There's an understanding among Scandinavia's diehard skiers: when the weather turns warm, it's time to finish off the season at the world's northernmost ski resort: Riksgransen, Sweden.

36 hours in Zermatt, Switzerland - Gliding among pale blue glaciers and breathing the hard, clean wind on nearly 200 miles of marked trails is the essence of skiing in Zermatt, Switzerland.


Hawaii not expecting a wave of tourism to Obama sites - It happened to Plains, Georgia, and Crawford, Texas, but Honolulu, the birthplace of the president-elect, is not expected to swept by tourists seeking out locations where he lived or studied.

EU wants bus, sea travelers to have more rights - The EU transport chief wants European governments to extend passenger rights to those who travel by bus or by sea.

Single malt Scotch whiskey still reigns supreme - No other category has the sheer variety of styles and expressions that single malt whiskey offers, nor has any other whiskey been as carefully analyzed, codified and parsed.

Check in, Check Out: The Hilton London Tower Bridge hotel - The recently opened Hilton London Tower Bridge in the city's South Bank manages to fill two voids. During the week, its 245 rooms fill up with conference attendees and business types, but also a weekend crowd.

From hoof to dinner table, a new bid to cut emissions - What to do about farm emissions is one of the main issues being discussed during international talks on a new global warming treaty.

A vegetarian diet reduces the diner's carbon footprint - Production of foods, particularly meat and dairy foods, adds greatly to the emission of greenhouse gases.

Methane capture technology offers double benefit for transport and environment - Biogas from organic waste decomposition is emerging as a potentially valuable energy source. Released from landfills it is a far worse greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Captured, it can be turned into a clean and efficient transport fuel.

Health halo can hide the calories - Have Americans been seduced into overeating by the so-called health halo associated with certain foods and restaurants?

White Russians arise, this time at a bowling alley - The White Russian, a sweet cocktail made with vodka, Kahlúa and cream or milk, is seeing a renaissance thanks in large part to the cult following of "The Big Lebowski."

Finding the Zen in airport travel - Consultant's book recommends "stepping back from the metaphorical baggage claim in life."

A chatterer's guide to easing anxiety - An advocate for corporate social responsibility finds a way to make his constant air travel meaningful.

Organic restaurants where only diners come from afar - In Britain as elsewhere, organic restaurants are increasingly seeking out local suppliers. After all, what good is an organic carrot or blueberry with a giant carbon footprint?

Michelin rates Hong Kong, but with which yardstick? - The Michelin guide for 2009 gave a top ranking of three stars to two area restaurants: Robuchon a Galera in Macao and Lung King Heen in Hong Kong.

Historic center of Venice flooded - Water in Venice rose to its highest level in more than 20 years Monday, flooding much of the Italian city and forcing residents and tourists to wade through knee-high water.

Florence, then and now - Perhaps the best way to enjoy the capital of Tuscany is to swap your guidebook for a copy of "A Room With a View" — and see this city as E. M. Forster captured it 100 years ago.

A slice of Italy across the sea - Pleasure-seeking travelers are flocking to Piran, Slovenia, to experience the Tuscan-like rolling vineyards, coastal views and rich cuisine — but without the throngs of tourists.

Attackers expose luxury hotels' vulnerabilities - The deadly terrorist attacks at the Oberoi and Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotels in Mumbai could leave an enduring imprint on the design and security procedures of luxury hotels.

Utopia by the sea - A cluster of homes on the California coast called Sea Ranch lifts the souls of design aficionados with its style forged by A-list architects and its deference to nature.

Bargains pop up in the luxury suite - As business travel continues to decline and even the wealthy begin to cut back on spending, the luxury travel segment is being hit hard, resulting in a bevy of bargains for those with cash to burn.

Le tour du chocolat - Take a decadent, two-wheeled tour of the best chocolate boutiques in Paris. Find a molten chocolate fountain, cocoa-dusted ganache and more.

World's friendliest countries for expats - Expats say Canada, Germany and Australia are the best countries to live in, while the United Arab Emirates is the most difficult.

The bars of central Cairo: Echoes of a bygone era - The bars that once flourished amid the sweeping boulevards of the Egyptian capital are in danger of dying because of growing Islamic piety, particularly the Muslim prohibition of alcohol.

In Lille, urban renewal with a boho-chic twist - Under a creative public initiative, the French city of Lille has been recruiting young fashion designers to set up shop in downbeat neighborhoods. For Lille, the benefit is an injection of cool and cachet, to say nothing of chic prêt-à-porter.

Designer 'Christmas trees' sold at Paris auction - At the "Les Sapins de Noël des Créateurs" charity auction in Paris, 44 designer Christmas trees in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles were sold.

Bucking the stereotypes of Finnish cuisine - Finns have not forgotten the slights about their food. But surprise, the restaurant culture of Helsinki is a proud paradise of local produce, fish and meat.

The simple life: Finding peace in upstate New York - In upstate New York, ashrams and Buddhist monasteries offer low-cost peace, quiet and order to the stressed, harried and not necessarily religious.

In hard times, going bottom up on the wine menu - A wine list requires a reverse-angle analysis. It should be judged not from the top down but from the bottom up. It should offer thoughtful and possibly even exciting choices at every level.

Reaching new heights in British Columbia - With 3,000 skiable acres, and a vertical drop of 5,620 feet, Revelstoke is the biggest news to hit the North American slopes in years.

Greece defends its stance as clashes resume - A general strike in Greece is disrupting services after four days of violent protests over a police killing.

Tempting the thieves with the pocketables - Thw Transportation Security Administration has fired 465 officers for theft since the spring of 2003.

Skiing in the land of the midnight sun - There's an understanding among Scandinavia's diehard skiers: when the weather turns warm, it's time to finish off the season at the world's northernmost ski resort: Riksgransen, Sweden.

36 hours in Zermatt, Switzerland - Gliding among pale blue glaciers and breathing the hard, clean wind on nearly 200 miles of marked trails is the essence of skiing in Zermatt, Switzerland.


Hawaii not expecting a wave of tourism to Obama sites - It happened to Plains, Georgia, and Crawford, Texas, but Honolulu, the birthplace of the president-elect, is not expected to swept by tourists seeking out locations where he lived or studied.

EU wants bus, sea travelers to have more rights - The EU transport chief wants European governments to extend passenger rights to those who travel by bus or by sea.

Single malt Scotch whiskey still reigns supreme - No other category has the sheer variety of styles and expressions that single malt whiskey offers, nor has any other whiskey been as carefully analyzed, codified and parsed.

Check in, Check Out: The Hilton London Tower Bridge hotel - The recently opened Hilton London Tower Bridge in the city's South Bank manages to fill two voids. During the week, its 245 rooms fill up with conference attendees and business types, but also a weekend crowd.

From hoof to dinner table, a new bid to cut emissions - What to do about farm emissions is one of the main issues being discussed during international talks on a new global warming treaty.

A vegetarian diet reduces the diner's carbon footprint - Production of foods, particularly meat and dairy foods, adds greatly to the emission of greenhouse gases.

Methane capture technology offers double benefit for transport and environment - Biogas from organic waste decomposition is emerging as a potentially valuable energy source. Released from landfills it is a far worse greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Captured, it can be turned into a clean and efficient transport fuel.

Health halo can hide the calories - Have Americans been seduced into overeating by the so-called health halo associated with certain foods and restaurants?

White Russians arise, this time at a bowling alley - The White Russian, a sweet cocktail made with vodka, Kahlúa and cream or milk, is seeing a renaissance thanks in large part to the cult following of "The Big Lebowski."

Finding the Zen in airport travel - Consultant's book recommends "stepping back from the metaphorical baggage claim in life."

A chatterer's guide to easing anxiety - An advocate for corporate social responsibility finds a way to make his constant air travel meaningful.

Organic restaurants where only diners come from afar - In Britain as elsewhere, organic restaurants are increasingly seeking out local suppliers. After all, what good is an organic carrot or blueberry with a giant carbon footprint?

Michelin rates Hong Kong, but with which yardstick? - The Michelin guide for 2009 gave a top ranking of three stars to two area restaurants: Robuchon a Galera in Macao and Lung King Heen in Hong Kong.

Historic center of Venice flooded - Water in Venice rose to its highest level in more than 20 years Monday, flooding much of the Italian city and forcing residents and tourists to wade through knee-high water.

Florence, then and now - Perhaps the best way to enjoy the capital of Tuscany is to swap your guidebook for a copy of "A Room With a View" — and see this city as E. M. Forster captured it 100 years ago.

A slice of Italy across the sea - Pleasure-seeking travelers are flocking to Piran, Slovenia, to experience the Tuscan-like rolling vineyards, coastal views and rich cuisine — but without the throngs of tourists.

Attackers expose luxury hotels' vulnerabilities - The deadly terrorist attacks at the Oberoi and Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotels in Mumbai could leave an enduring imprint on the design and security procedures of luxury hotels.